FRANKFORT, Ky. — A judge approved a settlement of up to $85 million Jan. 31 between sexual-abuse victims and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington, which has covered as many as 57 counties in Kentucky during the period covered by the settlement. It is one of the largest deals the church has reached with U.S. parishioners who were molested by clergy. The settlement covers 361 victims who claim they were abused over a period of 50 years by priests in the diocese. Special Judge John Potter said a desire by the Covington Diocese to make reparations to the victims contributed to the settlement.
The cost to U.S. dioceses from sexual predators in the priesthood has climbed past $1 billion since 1950, according to tallies by American bishops and an Associated Press review of known settlements. Researchers commissioned by the bishops found more than 11,500 abuse claims against priests over those five decades.
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